Local councill tennants and estate agency

[Mr Worried]

Hi To All

This thread could go on for ages but I will try to keep it short.

 

OK, We purchased our ex council home 9 yr ago blah blah, things were great till the Council moved in a few Scummy Families, sorry no stereotyping here they were moved from 1 area to ' my ' area ( prison released druggies, social services loonies, male + male married couples,) you name it I have got it.

 

So like a proffesional adult that wants his life to be normal and look after his kids, I decieded enough is enough and put the house on the market, we had a buyer then she dropped out, more viewings etc, the general feedback is so negative toward the immediate area as viewers comments are, there is a loonie next door, druggies in the street, wife beater 2 doors away, gardens a mess etc, ( honest ), then there is the lack of help from the estate agency, whom never call us we always call them for feedback etc.

 

Basically this is a sham, and I have to pay to live in this 'once' nice area, I blame the council for the crap they have moved in, I always report happenings to the estate manager for the area, but he says,,,oh cant help blah blah they are within their rights?

 

Could I make my home a compulsary purchase by the council?

We have thought of handing the keys back and renting private?

 

Can anybody shed some light on this situation for me?

 

Oh we had a 'run inn' with next door on Sat as they took offence to me asking them not to play the drums at 2am,

 

So that's it folks, not a nice scenario, but nevertheless, I'm living it.

 

Mr W

[Blondmusic]

I can understand how you feel after I lived on a Council Estate for 7 years. For the final 2 years my life was made hell by 2 families who took offence to me asking their kids not to throw mud at my windows. One of the families owned their home but the other was a council tenant.

 

My suggestion is to start a diary of events recording all the problems they are creating (eg, playing drums at 2am which I am sure will be something for the police to deal with). You can then take the diary to the council and report the tenants as it will be a breach of their tenancy agreement to cause anti-social behavior. Another suggestion would be to installl CCTV cameras in your windows and record the problems these people are creating.

 

I don't think the council will purchase your home unless they need to knock it down for a major development.

[Mr Worried]

Hi Darlo

 

Am not to far from you.

 

Record of events, we done that, but because 'they' are under social services they are exempt?.

I am sick od whinging to estate manager and council re problems, example I called them 3 times last week re rubbish in garden 2 doors away, they replied that the tenant had not requested a removal of goods.

So when our viewing turned up she said..oh how long has that couch, table and bed been in the front garden.?

 

I need to find a resolve for this as I dont even want to return to this area after my day has ended, I cant let my kids play outside as they are subject to effing, c,ing. and anything else the **** parents have taught their kids.

 

Mr W

Edited September 27, 2010 by Mr Worried
Spelling

[jimbo45]

Hi there

Park your car on a "piece of ground" for a few seconds and a Car clamper will attempt to charge you 500 GBP for it.

 

( I'm BIG - nearly 7 ft and was an excellent Boxer in my day too) and told the guy to Foxtrot Oscar while I removed the Clamp-- and told him to call the Police if you like since a small stay in one of Her Majesty's hotels would be a price worth paying to have a go at this lot of cowboys. He probably wouldn't have dared anyway since the "collection fee" was totally out of order in any case.

 

I'm sure had the Police turned up I would have had the book thrown at me.

 

However problem neighbours etc can cause distress for YEARS and make loads of people's life a misery.

 

The local police KNOW who the offenders are but DO NOTHING.

 

How often do you read in the papers of some 13 year old being released YET again after his 73rd offence.

 

With the example of the Car Clamper above - actually the Police shouldn't have been able to interfere as this was a "domestic dispute" taking place on PRIVATE property -- but Mr Plod wouldn't take any notice of that I'm sure.

 

Anyway Welcome to UK 2010 -- never mind about the Banks -- we need some PROPER Law and order back.

 

I'd video as much as possible and see if you could get the BBC involved.

 

Cheers

jimbo

[Mr Worried]

Hi Jimbo

 

I have to be discreit with this all as I still need to try to sell the house, I have just called the council 4 times as a matter of urgency and they said someone will call you back?

 

Its all becoming to much, and my OH just wants to leave, unbearable.

 

Mr W

[Mr Worried]

Hi All

 

So there we have it,,,I called the Council again ( 5 times ) spoke with ' whoever ' they said that they would make a visit to the property where the rubbish is, and they can do nothing about next door as they are under 'social services'.

 

Without being rational I think it is time to maybe go to auction and loose 15/20 k in selling value, then whatever equity if any, use that to move away from area?

 

My head is spinning.

 

Mr W

[cerberusalert]

Have you spoken to your local councilman or MP to see what they can do? Even if this family are under 'Social Services' they shouldn't have carte blanch if anything they should be under stricter scrutiny.

[Stigman]

Mr Worried,

Sorry to hear what you are going through, I know from previous experience what it's like and am glad we left the estate years ago which is now a no-go zone after dark.

You could rent your house back to the council, you will receive less than what you would if you rented private but also the council will guarantee the rent and any repairs that the property needs if it is damaged during the contracted period.

Also, think about auction, the sale price will be less but will get you both out of the area.

At the end of the day, think about your health.

Best Wishes

Stigman

[Mr Worried]

Have you spoken to your local councilman or MP to see what they can do? Even if this family are under 'Social Services' they shouldn't have carte blanch if anything they should be under stricter scrutiny.

 

Cheers Cerb, I will get in touch with him ASAP.

 

Cheers

 

Mr W

[Mr Worried]

Mr Worried,

Sorry to hear what you are going through, I know from previous experience what it's like and am glad we left the estate years ago which is now a no-go zone after dark.

You could rent your house back to the council, you will receive less than what you would if you rented private but also the council will guarantee the rent and any repairs that the property needs if it is damaged during the contracted period.

Also, think about auction, the sale price will be less but will get you both out of the area.

At the end of the day, think about your health.

Best Wishes

Stigman

 

Hi Stig

 

It is something we are looking into.

 

Cheers

 

Mr W

[harrassed senior]

Hi, I feel so sorry for you, reading your story, and then looking at my own 'estate' problems I realise how silly I am being. Slightly different story, a private estate was being built, buyer went bust, council took over and finished so we have a lovely estate of homes with mixed tenants/owners. Absolutely no real problems, but my neighbour (council) parked a small dinghy type boat in her driveway was threated with eviction if it was not removed. Another neighbour did the same (private) and they are 'getting away' with it. Same with groups of kids playing in the street, mixed bunch - council kids get a visit from the Police, others don't. So there are problems all round with 'discrimination'.

 

My granddaughter and family are in a position very similar to yours, and recently the council attempted to 'upgrade' the outside of the homes, she was told that she would have to pay the council to do hers as it would look 'odd' on a predominately (last chance) estate. She could not afford to 'fight' them and was therefore left with a bill for over £4000 she is having to pay just so that she can 'blend' in. She is 'locked in' for 5 years by her mortage.

[babybear39]

In the 90s my ex husband, daughter and I lived in a very nice private estate in a very quiet cul de sac.

 

Then, during a hot summer, 4 sets of nighbours thought it was ok to party into the small hours EVERY night! BBQs, parties etc...They even closed off the cul de sac on numerous occassions!

 

They all worked in suposedly respectable jobs (snigger) and had very young children which they used to leave in bed in their houses alone! We made numerous complaints but because one of the set of neighbours was a PC they never got more than a little telling off.

 

It got soooo bad that we put the house on the market and were very lucky with a part ex on a new build much nearer ex hubby's work. Other families are not as lucky

 

In the end I reported all of them to social services because the parents were all very drunk out in the street not looking after their kids every night of the week and I was very concerned something might happen

[jimbo45]

Hi there

depending on how much you are prepared to lose and for your own piece of mind how desparate you are to move I'd just put the whole lot up for Auction.

 

It's really worrying that the new Coalition wants to build MORE council estates -- unfortunately whilst the original idea was EXCELLENT the reality is very different and Police just don't bother with problem families any more.

 

We start getting into the realms of Politics here but Social Housing should be just that with a CONTRACT on the people receiving the benefit having to obey a "DECENT NEIGHBOURHOOD" policy or they will be EVICTED.

 

In the USA these types of estates are called "The Projects" and are a total DISASTER as well. You can't revive neighbourhoods by housing all the severe cases in the same area.

 

I'm not sure how much you would lose but auctioning it off would probably be the best bet --you don't have to supply any info about "problem neighbours" etc and you can get to put your life back again.

 

If you are scared to live in your own home then its definitely time for a change.

 

Cheers

jimbo

[Guest Cartaphilus]

Basically this is a sham, and I have to pay to live in this 'once' nice area, I blame the council for the crap they have moved in,

Can't offer anything to the rest, except I can empathize, my once leafy, rural village - a very far cry from towns/cities, in that it had been unspoilt mostly - has been slowly eroded in this way for a long while.

 

I agree, get your councillor involved, if they've any nous about them they won't also want to see their area run down in this way.

 

It's a pity they aren't private tennants, because I know someone who endured years of hell from anti-social tennants, mostly with loud music all hours of the day, night, vandalism to their car by the very young children, even hit her car with branches one day when I was there, scratched it down the side, busted the wing mirrors ... Family couldn't care less, they were out there watching them! But if it had been, then eventually after complaints to the council, the name of the landlord was discovered, they were quickly removed from the council built property. Plenty of piece afterwards, only problem was the council via private landlord moved another problem family in, who has been doing mostly the same to her car, and property in general.

Edited September 27, 2010 by Cartaphilus

[Mr Worried]

Hi All

 

Thanks for your input, I have a meeting with My local Councillor next week, let's see what he says eh!

 

Mr W